Against a backdrop of palm trees, coral reefs and ocean surf, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has promised the Pacific island states greater German help in adapting to climate change on the Micronesian archipelago of Palau.
The states in the South Pacific have been warning of the consequences of global warming for their existence for decades, said Baerbock.
"Our response to this was insufficient, our help was insufficient." The minister stated that the last visit by a German minister to Palau was 120 years ago - at that time the islands that lie between Indonesia and the Philippines in the western Pacific were until Outbreak of World War I German colonial territory.
This sparse presence is "not enough".
Johannes Leithauser
Political correspondent in Berlin.
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During her visit, Baerbock informed herself about the already visible damage and consequences of climate change, which have so far been mainly caused by rising sea levels.
Display boards used aerial photos to demonstrate shrinking sandbanks and beaches, while fishermen and farmers living right on the beach reported how the rising water level was threatening their houses and fields.
The freshwater lenses, from which many islands draw their drinking water, are also endangered by salinity.
Germany wants to strengthen its presence in the Pacific region.
A special envoy, likely to be based in Canberra, Australia, has been appointed to ensure greater awareness of the islands' concerns following Baerbock's announcement.
This also applies to the obligation to “deal with the colonial past”.
The Palauan Minister of Culture informed them that many objects of the cultural heritage of his archipelago were stored in museums in Berlin and Stuttgart.
Even before entering into lengthy discussions about possible returns, he would be grateful if at least photos of it could be shown in Palau.
More attention to climate change
The Foreign Minister terminated her visit to the islands after attending the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia, which was heavily influenced by the consequences of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine on the world's food and energy supply.
She said the consequences are even being felt in the Pacific islands, where diesel prices have doubled.
Irrespective of this, Baerbock's goal with her visit was to draw more attention to the consequences of global climate change.
Global warming is "the most challenging security issue of our time," she said in her address to the residents of the threatened village of Melekeok, which took place in an open meeting hall by the sea.